HARLEQUINS NAME TEAM FOR FRIDAY NIGHT VISIT OF SALE
Thursday, 5th October 2017 @ 12:00

HARLEQUINS HAS NAMED THE 23-MAN SQUAD TO FACE SALE SHARKS IN ROUND 6 OF THE AVIVA PREMIERSHIP AT THE STOOP ON FRIDAY 6TH OCTOBER (KICK-OFF 19:45).

There are four changes to the starting 15 that lost 30-22 to Northampton Saints in Round 5 of the competition. Will Collier is named at tighthead prop while captain James Horwill, Chris Robshaw and Joe Marler return to the starting side.

Speaking ahead of Friday night's match, Director of Rugby, John Kingston said: "Sale had a hugely impressive win last week and we know they have threats across the park.

"However, at The Stoop, we are always confident and will be looking to turn in a quality performance to secure victory at the end of this initial run of Premiership matches."

Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond has challenged his side to bottle their formidable home form and transfer it to the road - starting with Friday night's Premiership clash away at Harlequins.

The Sharks produced a stunning display at the AJ Bell Stadium last Friday as they ran in eight tries to thrash Gloucester 57-10. That win followed an impressive bonus point victory over London Irish in Sale's previous home outing.

However, Sale have struggled to replicate that form on their travels but the Sharks boss believes his side are more than capable of finding a cure for their travel sickness.

"We don't want to get too carried away - we've hit a bit of form at home but most people would expect us to do that," said Diamond.

"I think we've got a good enough squad to challenge some teams away from home, notwithstanding the fact that they've got one or two injuries, so we need to go down there and be competitive.

"To be pushing for the top six and challenging, you've got to be picking three wins up on the road over the season and win your home games.

"No doubt Harlequins will be sobered by their loss to Northampton last weekend but they are a good side. They have won at Wasps already this season and they are a fine team at home.

"Anyone who knows anything about the league knows that any side can literally knock each other about. What we've got to be is difficult to beat down there.

"We need a win like everybody and on current form, some would say we don't stand a chance of winning down there so let's see how we rock up on Friday."

By way of inspiration for transferring their excellent home form onto the road in what will be the last Premiership clash ahead of the European break, the Sale boss says his side could do worse than learn from the example of Saracens and Newcastle.

"You look to take a leaf out of other people's books and Saracens have always been a good team to follow in the the way that they do things," Diamond continued.

"We win games when we don't have a lot of ball like against Gloucester, we provide a lot of lads for the junior England squads and the Under-20s and we probably have more South Africans than Sarries now but they have always been a good team to follow

"Newcastle are another good example now too. They produced a smash and grab raid away from home against us last month and they did it again against Bath and we could do with emulating a little bit of the grit which they have shown.

"On top of that, wouldn't it be good to have two Northern teams in the top half of the league?"

The Sale director of rugby also confirmed that the arm injury which forced England international Tom Curry off the field against Gloucester was not as serious as had been first feared.

"Injury-wise, we are OK. Tom Curry is out for two weeks with a strain on a ligament in his wrist but he'll be back soon and Ben Curry is fit for Friday," Diamond added.

blucherquinHope Walker's ok, he was off for concussion -- but guess there's a chance he's picked Visser to help stop Solomona.

I was wondering the same. I fear that our three main wingers may find it difficult to get hold of the shirt unless someone is injured, certainly if they can play as well as they have been. It's a nice problem for us as fans. I just hope Visser gets back to his form of last season when he was one of our best players IMO. Walker took his chance well though and he's a great option. Meanwhile Yarde is playing like a man possessed.

Don't forget that a pure winger like Visser, Walker, and Yarde are will either start or not be part of the 23. Any back bench player outside a specialised Scrum or Fly Half has either to be able to slot into the position being subbed or allow the coaches to re-jig the backline easily. So, that means a more utility player who can cover centre/wing will always get the remaining bench spot first.

No sure, but the shirt was Walker's as far as I'm concerned and he was announced as having concussion hence missing last match -- maybe there will be an injury update this weekend given that we're heading for the time when some of the others were "due" back.

blucherquinNo sure, but the shirt was Walker's as far as I'm concerned and he was announced as having concussion hence missing last match -- maybe there will be an injury update this weekend given that we're heading for the time when some of the others were "due" back.

Agreed. Unless Tim can't start dotting down for a few tries Walker has probably earned the right to be first choice.

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